Brows: The perfect frame
Bold, beautiful, even bejeweled, eyebrows are making a major statement. Full, impeccably groomed brows defined faces on key fall runways at Rodarte, Marc Jacobs, Donna Karan, Christian Dior and Valentino. Karl Lagerfeld drove the focus home most dramatically at Chanel, where models’ brows sparkled under glittery, stone-encrusted mesh strips hand-stitched by venerable Parisian embroidery atelier Lesage. Lush, natural brows distinguish model Karlie Kloss, featured as “the new face of fashion” on the cover of W magazine’s July issue and actress Lily Collins.
Pros say a strong, well-shaped brow can make a person look years younger. “Like long hair, thick full brows are a symbol of youth and vitality that add balance and proportion to the face,” says celebrity brow specialist Anastasia Soare of Anastasia Beverly Hills Salons.
“There is something slightly intimidating, but gloriously sexy, about a woman who burns a hole through you with Marilyn Monroe-style brows,” says Jodi Shays, owner of Queen Bee Salon and Spa in Brentwood and Culver City. “We call this ‘the Brow Beat Down.’ Very Angelina Jolie or Joan Crawford.”
Over-the-counter brow strengthening and conditioning products, such as Soare’s recently reformulated Brow Enhancing Serum Advanced and pro makeup artist favorite RevitaBrow Advanced, are said to create thicker hair.
When it comes to multitasking, Per-Fékt Brow Perfection Gel is our pick: It conditions, tints and tames brows with one swoop of a mascara-like wand.
And, yes, it’s possible to translate Chanel’s glittery brow from runway to reality. “Add a shimmering brow highlighter, like Benefit’s new High Brow Glow,” in champagne pink, says Hilary Foote, whose expert tips are included in the recently released book “Raising Eyebrows: Your Personal Guide to Fabulous Brows” by Cameron Tuttle. Add that to your fall reading list!
